Flashlight with supporting clamp



1968 s. P. SEDLOCK 3,413,451

FLASHLIGHT WITH SUPPORTING CLAMP Filed Oct. 10, 1966 Stephen P. Sad/oak IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent Office 3,418,461 Patented Dec. 24, 1968 3,418,461 FLASHLIGHT WITH SUPPORTING CLAMP Stephen P. Sedlock, 1212 Philadelphia Ave., Barnesboro, Pa. 15714 Filed Oct. 10, 1966, Ser. No. 585,472 4 Claims. (Cl. 240-525) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A C-type clamp is conformably but detachably and adjustably connectible with the capped end of the barrel of a conventional-type flashlight. An invertible L-shaped dual purpose support bracket has one leg fixed to a median part of the clamp. The other leg is provided with a rubber sleeve :fashioned into a conveniently grippable comfortably shaped mouthpiece. A spring jaw clip is fixed to an end portion of the C-clamp. The clip can be clipped to a shirt pocket, windshield visor or elsewhere for support. With the C-clamp facing up the capped end can be caused to rest against the users forehead. Facing down and clamped the flashlight can be located beneath the users chin.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in means, broadly stated, which can be aptly and satisfactorily connected to and mounted on a conventional-type flashlight to assist the user thereof in positioning and supporting the same on the person while the flashlight is in use or is temporarily out of use but is convenient for accessible use.

Briefly, the concept has to do with a self-contained ready-to-use attachment, that is, an attachment which is characterized by three principal component parts, namely, a readily attachable and detachable resilient clamp, a bracket which is attached to a median portion of the clamp and is provided with a mouthpiece, and a clip which is also attached to the clamp and embodies spring biased jaws, said clip being capable of attachment to the users belt, shirt, shirt pocket or conveniently accessible part of the users garments.

Persons conversant with the art to which the invention relates are aware that many and different styles and forms of flashlight holders have been devised and used for whatever purpose desired, for example, the clip-equipped flashlight clamp for attachment to a lapel as shown in the patent to Lancaster, 2,136,855 and the clamp-equipped band-type holder .for use on the handlebars of a bicycle as shown in the patent to Graves, 1,449,509. More in keeping with the present invention and for background information if desired attention is called to the patent to Colby, 2,299,467 showing, generally similar to the present invention, a flashlight having a mouthpiece whereby" the flashlight can be clenched and held between the users teeth when the beam of light is being used.

It is an obvious objective of the present invention to structurally, functionally and in other ways improve upon the reference patents referred to above and any other known prior art adaptations. More particularly novelty is predicated on an attachment which lends itself to use on the capped or butt end of the flashlight barrel or casing without necessitating changes in the construction of the flashlight. To the ends desired, the invention pertains to a split or C-type clamp which is detachably and adjustably fitted to embrace the barrel or casing of the flashlight. The median portion of the clamp is provided with a bracket having a mouthpiece which constitutes one positioning and supporting device. The clamp is also provided with a spring jaw clip which allows the overall structure to be attached to the mouth of a shirt pocket or the like when the flashlight is extinguished and not in use.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention a simple, economical and practical L-shaped bracket is provided wherein one leg or limb of the bracket is mounted on a median portion of the C-clamp. The other leg or limb is encased in a rubber or an equivalent plastic molded sleeve which is fixed in place and is formed to provide a compressibly resilient mouthpiece, that is an adaptation which can be clenched between the users teeth whereby the flashlight can be position and cradled in an up position, or saddled and suspended in a down position.

As will be hereinafter more clearly evident novelty is predicated on a flashlight casing clarnp having an L-shaped or an equivalent bracket with a mouthpiece. Accordingly, and in one position, the flashlight can be cradled in the clamp with the clamp serving as a supporting stirrup and with the capped inner end of the flashlight resting against the forehead of the user wtih the bracket held between the teeth of the user to focus the light beam and to permit the user to have both hands free while using the flashlight.

Equivalent novelty is predicated on the stated construction wherein when the bracket is used in a suspended or depending position, the clip is saddled over the flashlight in such a manner that the capped or inner end of the flashlight casing can be stationed beneath the users chin with the bracket supported in front of and resting, if desired, against the chin, this being an alternate manner of supporting and using the flashlight.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a conventional flashlight and the improved attachment wherein the clamp is saddled over the flashlight with the depending leg of the bracket against the chin and the mouthpiece clenched between the users teeth, this being one manner of using the attachment in conjunction with a flashlight.

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the combination illustrated in FIG. 1 but wherein the position of the bracket is reversed so that the vertical leg is in :front of the nose, the flashlight being cradled in the then existing stirrup-like clamp and the cap on the inner end resting against the forehead of the user.

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective on a slightly enlarged scale showing the attachment by itself and with a portion of the mouthpiece broken away and appearing in section.

The flashlight is conventional and may be described broadly as comprising an elongated barrel or casing 5 having an illuminable head 6 at the outer end provided with a lens 7 in the manner shown. The cap at the inner end is denoted at 8 and may, if desired, be a suitably cushioned cap, this being an optional aspect of the overall concept.

The flashlight positioning, supporting and light beam focusing attachment is detailed in FIG. 3 wherein it will be noted that it is characterized by the aforementioned split band or resilient C-type clamp 10. The clamp is adapted to be detachably and adjustably fitted over the casing or barrel of the flashlight. To assist in accomplishing this the free ends of the clamp are flared outwardly as at 12. The arcuate median portion is intended to conformingly fit over the casing or barrel and is denoted for convenience of description at 14. In connection with the C-clamp it is to be noted that it can be employed as a saddle and fitted over the case or barrel of the flashlight as illustrated in the position in FIG. 1. Alternatively, it can be used as a sort of a stirrup or cradle for the flashlight as employed in FIG. 2. In any event the C-clamp is detachably and adjustably mounted on the flashlight and usable in at least the two positions illustrated in FIG. 1, it being understood that the position can of course vary depending on the situation at hand.

The mouthpiece 16, broady speaking, is bracketed on the bight portion 14 of the clamp. More specifically a substantially L-shaped bracket 18 is employed. This bracket is preferably but not necessarily formed from flat faced strap metal and comprises one leg or limb 20 provided with a lateral free end 22 arcuately shaped and superimposed upon and fastened to the bight portion 14. This leg is radial to the curvature of the clamp. The other leg or limb projects beyond the clamp as shown in FIG. 3 where it is denoted by the numeral 24. It is this leg which is equipped with the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may be formed from moldable plastic material, rubber or appropriate compressibly resilient material which is customarily used in making rubber and equivalent safely grippable mouthpieces. The mouthpiece here comprises a sleeve or jacket which encloses the limb, the jacket denoted at 26 and having one end portion secured in place as at 28 at the juncture of the two legs 20 and 24. The jacket encases the leg 24 and the left hand end portion thereof is fashioned into an appropriate gripping head 30. Accordingly the mouthpiece can be fitted between the users teeth in either of the usable positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The user may desire to employ or use the assembly in the manner shown in FIG. 1 wherein for example the mouthpiece 16 is inserted and clenched between the teeth of the user. In this position the vertical leg 20 depends in front of and may be caused to rest against the protruding portion of the users chin. In practice the leg is usually amply long that the flashlight as a unit will assume a plane of use similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1. In this position the cap or closure 8 is positioned and lodged in place underneath the chin whereby the flashlight can be conveniently positioned and employed in the light beam focusing position here shown.

The assembly can be inverted and employed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2, this being an alternate or second manner of usage. In this situation the clamp 10 becomes a cradle or stirrup and serves to support the flashlight in the elevated position shown with the cushioned cap resting against the forehead of the user. In this arrangement the vertical leg 20 depends in front of and below the nose of the user and allows the mouthpiece to be arranged horizontally and clenched between the teeth in the manner illustrated.

The clamp 10 also carries or is equipped with simple and practical clip means which is denoted generally by the numeral 32. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 the clip is somewhat conventional and comprises spring-biased jaws 34. In addition to the clip proper a pair of handles are provided as at 36 and 38 and one handle, that is the loop portion thereof is superimposed upon and secured to the end component 40 of the clip 10. In this situation the clip, which can be caused to project rearwardly that is to the left in FIG. 3 or forwardly as desired, not shown, can be brought into use when the user desires to extinguish the flashlight and to support or hang it in a convenient out-of-the-way position .on a part of the person. In practice, the clip means 32 can be attached to the buttoned edge of the shirt, to a shirt or coat pocket, to a lapel, or for that matter, to ones trousers supporting belt. It follows that a simple bandtype C-clamp is equipped with bracket means 18 having a mouthpiece 16, and also on one side with an optionally usable spring-loaded clip 32.

As can be appreciated, a flashlight equipped with the attachment herein shown and described can be conveniently and reliably supported and used in either of the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the light beam can be focused on a workpiece or other area so that the user will have both hands free to attend to the task at hand. i

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a flashlight embodying an elongated barrel-like battery containing casing having an illuminable lens at a forward end and a closing cap at a rearward end, and self-contained readily applicable and removable flashlight positioning, supporting and light beam directing attachment means embodying an adapter clamp comprising a resilient hand-type C-clamp snugly but yieldingly and adjustably embracing a portion of said casing adjacent said rearward end, a complemental support bracket, said bracket being generally L-shaped in edge elevation and embodying companion legs disposed at right angles to each other, one leg being of a predetermined length, width and cross-sectional dimension and having a right angularly bent free end portion arcuately bent and superimposed upon and aflixed to a median crest portion of the outer peripheral surface of the bight portion of said C-clamp whereby said one leg is radial to and flush with a rearward marginal edge of said clamp, the other le being at right angles to said one leg and adapted to assume a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of said casing and being wholly and protectively enclosed in a permanently attached compressibly resilient sleeve, and said sleeve being formed at an outer free end portion with an enlarged retaining anti-slipping bead fashioned into and providing a contoured conveniently grippable mouthpiece which when in use is adapted to be clenched and held between the users teeth.

2. The combination according to claim 1, and wherein said one leg is of a length that when positioned in a vertical upstanding position in front of and spaced from the users nose, said clamp then assumes an elevated plane and provides an upwardly opening stirrup-like cradle for said flashlight, whereby the usual capped end of the flashlight casing can be caused to rest firmly for end thrust support against the users forehead.

3. The combination according to claim 1, and wherein said one leg is of a length that when brought into use it can be hung down and caused to assume a vertical position in front of and depending below the users chin, whereby the capped end of the flashlight can then be conveniently located and lodged beneath the users chin while, at the same time, said mouthpiece can be reliably clenched and held between the users teeth.

4. The combination defined in and according to claim 1, and means for supporting the flashlight and said positioning and supporting attachment means in an outof-the-way but conveniently accessible place when the flashlight is not in use, said means comprising a clip embodying a pair of spring-biased gripping jaws and a pair of handles, one of said handles being superimposed upon and fixed to an exterior surface of one of the end portions of said clamp.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Lancaster 240-525 Colby '240-52.5 Colby 240-105 Dobbs 2406.4

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

6 JOSEPH F. PETERS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.' 

